Colorado labor shall be employed to perform at least 80% of the work on a public works project.
Submitted Waivers
Contract 505989 – Dillion Dam Hydro Overhaul
In July 2025, BCI Construction USA, Inc. was awarded the contract for the hydro overhaul project at Dillon Dam through a competitive selection process. Denver Water’s decision to select BCI Construction USA, Inc. was based on the best value for Denver Water. Additionally, BCI Construction USA, Inc.’s hydro electric mechanics are specialized millwrights trained specifically in the Hydroelectric and Power Generation Industry. Their highly trained and qualified millwrights are not readily available in Colorado.
Contract 505703 – Strontia Springs Conduit No. 26 Gate Chains Replacement
In May 2024, Ballard Marine Construction, LLC was awarded the contract for gate chains replacement at Strontia Springs reservoir through a competitive selection process. Denver Water’s decision to select Ballard Marine Construction, LLC was largely based on the best value for Denver Water. Additionally, Ballard Marine Construction, LLC’s diving operations are unique and require in-depth company policy and procedure training, making it difficult to find skilled commercial divers who live in Colorado. This is especially difficult for a project of short duration as the time to train divers on the strict safety protocols and medical procedures required for diving at high altitudes and hyperbaric chamber operations will take longer than the project itself. When diving at the depths required for this project, using unknown labor introduces unnecessary safety risks that should be avoided.
Contract 504903 Gross Reservoir Expansion Project
In July of 2019, the Kiewit-Barnard Joint Venture (KBJV) was awarded the contract for pre-construction services for the GRE project through a competitive selection process. Denver Water’s decision to select KBJV was largely based on the team’s collective experience constructing similar roller compacted concrete dams across North America and the team’s personnel that would ultimately be committed to the GRE project throughout the course of construction. For this reason, KBJV is obligated to bring personnel who have the requisite experience for this complex project. These individuals live throughout North America and will be mobilized to the project to ensure a successful outcome. Some individuals will re-locate to Colorado and become residents but because of the seasonal nature of the project, many will retain their current residency and travel to Colorado each construction season.
In addition to the specialized nature of the work, the amount of large, in progress and near-term civil works projects occurring on the front range has, and will continue to, create a large demand for Colorado tradespersons. Due to the skilled labor shortage that this creates, we are expecting to reach beyond the borders of Colorado to assemble the necessary work force for the GRE project.